We are so excited to be kicking off the summer season with the release of final photos of BC Retreat!
As its name suggests, BC Retreat is a tranquil haven tucked away into the forests of upstate New York. Drawing from modern barn inspiration, the house is divided into two main volumes. The taller volume includes the bedrooms and support spaces, while the lower volume features an expansive living and dining room, kitchen, library, and offices. A wall of windows and sliding glass doors in the living and dining room provide a spectacular view of an expansive meadow, stream, and the Catskill Mountains beyond. A screened-in porch and ample patio space allow for a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. To learn more about BC Retreat, be sure to check out the full project description at the bottom of this post, but first, check out the amazing photographs!
Stretching along a spectacular site in Saugerties, BC Retreat is a modern twist on traditional Hudson Valley vernacular architecture.
Drawn to the idea of a larger home in which they could host family and friends, a hardworking couple took their time finding the ideal piece of land that would become their new getaway. They were looking for a larger parcel that could accommodate a home overlooking an expansive meadow, and they dreamed of a property with a view of the mountains. After a long search, they found their site – hidden behind the trees that cover the approach to this lot was the perfect property. The house site was slightly elevated, creating sweeping downward views of a dynamic meadow and a distant stream. As a bonus, the view continued, stretching towards the sky in the form of the Catskills, including views of Overlook Mountain and Huckleberry Point.
Although the home would primarily be a weekend getaway, the clients were craving an elegant retreat focused on entertaining and enjoyment. They wanted to plan for aging parents that would visit, and make sure that they would be able to enjoy the home even when work called them away. They imagined the site as host to a series of “playspaces” – the main living area as a grand, open space well-suited to entertaining, a screen porch with a fireplace for cooler summer evenings, a feature courtyard space that became a must-have during construction, a pool and pool house that would function as their gym, and ample outdoor spaces for relaxing, grilling and hosting. They were looking for a warm, elegant home that incorporated natural materials, large plank wood floors, a stone fireplace – all with a warm and inviting rustic modern character.
Composed of two barn-inspired volumes, the home is organized around two primary axes. The approach to the home mirrors the experience of first walking the land – a two story volume, complemented by thoughtful and elegant landscaping, rises in front of the driveway. Turning a corner, a glass entryway provides the first glimpse of the meadow beyond, with a peek of Overlook Mountain just above its roofline. As you enter the home, the view crystallizes and more of the meadow and ridge are revealed. This is the first key axis – it divides the home into two volumes that are placed perpendicular to one another. The single story volume to the left of the entry is dedicated to the home’s public entertaining spaces, while the two story volume to the right includes the bedrooms, garage and other support spaces. The division reflects a desire for a balance between spaces for gathering and spaces for retreat.
The second critical axis runs parallel to the ridge, creating a strong relationship between the home and its site. The open tread switchback stair at one end of the axis features floor to ceiling windows, providing a visual connection to the approach to the home. The axis then continues through the entry, across the open plan living area and out through the door to the attached screen porch. The axis is visually extended by the pool and poolhouse.
The primary living area is characterized by a soaring vaulted wood ceiling, accented by beams and grounded by the grand stone fireplace. Wood windows and doors are complemented by dark blue cabinetry in the kitchen and bar. The marble sink and a beautiful handcrafted range echo our client’s love of cooking and give the kitchen an elevated feel. The dining and living areas look out through a wall of glass that runs parallel to the ridgeline, expanding the space to the outdoors.
Distinctive offices for each of the clients branch off from the living area, exemplifying the work-play dynamic that the couple is so familiar with. The second wow-moment of the home is kept in reserve for the main bedroom suite, which sits at the end of the two story volume. Running perpendicular to the ridge, the suite features a second window wall that pulls your eye outdoors. The gabled end signifies the space’s prominence and provides an elevated perspective of the spectacular mountain view and meadow below.
Throughout the project are moments to cherish. The double-sided fireplace is a wonderful example of the rustic modern feel that our clients were looking for, and the standalone chair in the dining area provides a space for retreat without needing to leave the room. The sculpture garden that splits the two office spaces provides opportunity for reflection during long work days, while an adjacent enclosed yard serves a functional purpose for their much-adored pup. A second larger sculpture, standing just beyond the edge of the home’s impeccable landscaping, helps to draw the eye out and up to the view.
An expansive retreat in which indoor and outdoor moments are equally important, BC Retreat encourages moments of connection while providing space for quiet retreat.